NCGA Calls on Growers to Push for Optional Revenue Farm Bill Program During Legislative Recess
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) urges its members reach out to their congressional delegates in support of passage of the farm bill—one that includes a viable optional revenue component. The Senate today passed an extension of the 2002 farm bill until April 18. The House is scheduled to vote on an extension later today.
“It is vital that the new farm bill adapts to the greater risk and volatility in the market,” said NCGA President Ron Litterer. “NCGA urges its members to educate their congressional delegation during the spring recess on the benefits of an optional revenue-based program using personal examples of how this program protects against reduced revenue.”
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, issued the following comments: “We continue to make progress on the farm bill,” said Sen. Harkin. “Talks continue on a bipartisan basis between Senate and House negotiators and each day brings us closer to resolution. Although a new bill is within reach, Congress needs more time to reach agreement and obtain the necessary cooperation from the White House.”
NCGA asks its members to make calls, send e-mails, or attend town meetings urging Congress to come to a consensus on the farm bill so that growers can make decisions for this year and the next for their farming operations.
Corn Growers Seek Mississippi River Navigation, Ecosystem Funding
Corn growers from Illinois and Indiana showed their strong support for lock and dam appropriations in Washington, D.C., this week.
For the 2009 federal budget, corn growers are asking Congress for $50 million in Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) funding in the budget of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and an additional $20 million for the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) Environmental Management Program.
“We need to integrate the restoration of the river ecosystem with the modernization of the navigation system to reduce barge traffic delays,” said Illinois Corn Growers Association President Art Bunting. “The NESP’s unique dual authority for meeting both ecosystem and navigation needs has been endorsed by environmental organizations, the commercial navigation industry and agriculture and labor groups.”
The National Corn Growers Association is working with UMR Basin Task Force Co-Chairmen Tim Walz (D-Minn.) and Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.) to seek funding for lock construction and the NESP.
Click here for the action alert urging Congress to fund lock construction on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Waterway System.
Click here for more information on the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program.
Nebraska Corn Growers, Cattlemen Talk Trade in Capital
The importance of trade to Nebraska farms and ranches was emphasized this week when corn growers and cattlemen visited the nation’s capital Tuesday and met with officials. This is the second year the Nebraska Corn Board has sponsored a joint trip with Nebraska Cattlemen to promote issues important to both groups.
“Our efforts last year were very successful, and we feel discussing issues jointly such as trade, animal welfare, research and the environment benefits both organizations and demonstrates that cattle and corn producers can work together towards the same goal,” Don Hutchens, Nebraska Corn Board executive director, said. “It also gives us an opportunity to openly discuss and look for common ground in other areas, like energy policy.”
National Corn Growers Association First Vice President Bob Dickey, a corn grower from Laurel, Neb., joined the group on the visit.
Click here for more information on the Nebraska Corn Board.
Economic Report Examines Food Price Inflation
A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City provides a detailed look at historic and projected increases in food prices. While higher prices for commodities such as corn play a part in price increases for certain food segments, the report states, so-called “marketing costs” – defined by the bank as the difference between the farm value and consumer spending for food – drive the overall increase seen.
“Too often, corn and ethanol demand are blamed for high food prices overall,” said Ron Litterer, president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). “This report reaches the same conclusion as many other studies in showing that the cause of higher food prices is a lot more complex than some pundits think.”
The bank report states that the marketing cost of food, as a percentage of overall food prices, has increased from 59 percent in 1959 to 80 percent today, due primarily to rising labor and energy costs.
Even though higher commodity prices do have a larger impact certain food groups, it is important to note that farm costs vary greatly depending on how processed a food is, the report says, citing federal governmental statistics: “USDA reports that farmers receive 19 cents from every dollar spent on a bag of wheat flour, but only 5 cents from a dollar spent on a loaf of bread and just 4 cents from a dollar spent on a box of corn flakes.”
Click here to view the report.
From This Week’s Blog: To read comments from this week’s Corn Commentary Blog, please click the bullets below:
To provide feedback to any of comments on this week’s Corn Commentary blog, please (click here)
|
KEY ISSUES
